While at the Ellsworth Library we took a look at the book Vital Records from Maine Newspapers, 1785-1820 and discovered that authors David C Young and Elizabeth Keene Young invested a lot time extracting records from multiple newspapers.

We found Shackford extracts on page 532 and learned that newspapers indexed as N4 and N1 announced the death of Ebenezer’s infant child on August 3, 1819.

On the next page we learn that Eliza Shackford, the 26 year old wife of Ebenezer died at Portland and her death was reported in newspaper N1 on July 27, 1819 and in newspaper N4 on July 17, 1819.

We were aware of these Shackfords and relationships from previous research but it is helpful to see that the information we had matched the newspaper articles.

EBENEZER SHACKFORD (abt 1792-1857)

Ebenezer Shackford whose parentage we are not yet certain of was born about 1792-3 in Maine. He and Elizabeth Abbott both of Portland posted their intention to marry on October 22, 1815 and were married by Elder Samuel Rand on November 16, 1815. Eliza probably died as a result of childbirth as she died on July 19, 1819 and her 15 day old child who we believe was named Ebenezer died on July 31, 1819. Both mother and child were buried in Eastern Cemetery.

Ebenezer’s marriage to Frances Jane Springer was announced on August 26, 1820 and they were married by Rev Edward Payson in Portland on September 14, 1820.From the Young book we learn that their marriage was announced in newspaper N1 on Sept 19 1820 and paper H1 on Sept 30 1820. We believe that Ebenezer and Frances had a daughter Elizabeth Springer Shackford in 1824.

From the 1827 Portland directory we learn that Ebenezer was a baker and from the Weekly Eastern Argus we learn that he sold his land and house in 1830. In 1837 Ebenezer and Jane divorced – she then married Oliver E Silsby in 1838 and Ebenezer married Anna Blair in 1855. He died in November 1857 in Portland from Consumption.

We have some research questions regarding Ebenezer:

Who were the parents of Ebenezer Shackford (1792-1859)?

Where was Ebenezer Shackford buried?

When did Ebenezer’s wife Anna Blair Shackford die?

Who were the parents of Ebenezer’s wives?

We will probably search the newspapers referred to in the Young’s helpful book Vital Records of Maine, 1785-1820 and recommend this books to others researching individuals who lived in Maine during this timeframe.

And the next time we copy pages from a book from a library distant from our home, we’ll be sure to copy the pages of the book that told us which newspapers the book was referring to – lesson learned for next genealogy RV trip!!!